Translation guide
The English word 'impatient' can describe a person who dislikes waiting, someone eager to do something, or a general lack of patience. In Japanese, the most natural expressions depend on whether you're talking about waiting, eagerness, or a personality trait.
Expressing that someone cannot wait calmly and gets annoyed by delays.
Literally 'dislike waiting'. A straightforward way to say someone is impatient about waiting.
He is impatient about waiting.
Describes a person who is hasty, impatient, or always in a rush. Often used for personality.
He's impatient, so he's not good at standing in line.
Literally 'short-tempered', but often used for impatience. Implies a quickness to get frustrated.
Impatient people get irritated quickly when stuck in traffic.
The negative potential form of 'wait', meaning 'cannot wait'. Casual and direct.
I can't wait any longer!
Expressing a strong desire to do something soon, often with excitement.
Pattern meaning 'I want to do ~ soon'. Shows eagerness and impatience to start.
I'm impatient to see the movie.
Means 'cannot wait any longer', often used for positive anticipation.
An adjective describing a frustrating situation that makes you feel impatient or irritated because things aren't moving fast enough.
Describing a person's character as impatient in various situations.
Literally 'lacking patience/endurance'. A clear way to describe someone who is not patient.
He's impatient, so he's not good at long meetings.
Means 'short-tempered' or 'quick-tempered'. Can imply impatience but focuses more on anger.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'impatient'. Avoid directly translating 'I'm impatient' as '私は impatient です'. Instead, use the phrases above depending on the situation.
I can't wait for summer vacation.
His way of talking is always so slow it makes me impatient.
Means 'patient'. Use the negative form to say 'impatient'.
He is not very patient.
短気な人は、すぐに怒る。
Impatient people get angry quickly.